The Stags entered 2019 in similar fashion as they left 2018 and continue there winning streak.
Chris Warner and the three Tom’s – Stevens, Wall & Chaffey all returned from injury with the latter hoping to last more than five minutes after his brief spell in the first game of the season were dashed with a broken collar bone.
Ross McKeckan & Sam Lewis were on a field trip somewhere, being taught how to plan future excursions during mid season!
Minehead were obviously keen to make amends after they were beaten on home turf in the fixture earlier in the season and they clearly had a game plan.
The Stags started the game with good possession of ball but were struggling to find territory in the Minehead half in the first 10 mins of the game as the away forwards slowed the ball down and forced several errors from the home team.
The Minehead Scrum half used the ball well and found space several times behind the defence line, and with The Stags on the back foot, several penalties were awarded to Minehead who capitalised on the mistakes and the Stags found themselves 0-6 down after 20 mins which could of been 9 points but the cross bar helped the home side.
Warner came on for Nick McKen in the front row after 25 mins and his presence was known immediately in the scrums and around the park. Minehead were kept in there own 22 for the next 10 minutes as The Stags began to play some attractive & expansive rugby but three weeks off and some good defence lines by Minehead kept the home side out.
HT 0-6
Jake Allen came on at HT for Stef Pierce in the front row to bolster the pack even more and The Stags were getting the better of the away forwards in the scrums.
With only 5 minutes gone into the second half, The Stags were awarded a penalty but some smart thinking from Piper, and the Ref allowing advantage, a kick over the top of the Minehead back line was chased by Tom Chaffey, who managed to dance his way through two defenders and pounce on the loose ball to give The Stags the first try of the game 5-6.
The Stags upped there game for the next 10 minutes and were awarded a Penalty which Piper slotted over to take an 8-6 lead.
More changes were made with Tom Stevens coming on into the back row and Nick Mcken came back on for Sam Wall at Hooker.
Minehead were awarded another penalty for a deliberate knock on, with Sam Chillingworth finding himself sat on the bench for the next minutes, and regained the lead 8-9.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, Piper kicked for touch from a resulting penalty, the lineout was lost but some quick pressure from the forwards on the Minehead scrum half forced a 5m scrum. With the changes made in the pack, Minehead the forwards began to tire which allowed No 8, Ash Cutter, to pick and go from the base of the scrum and force his way over to take the lead again 13-9.
With light fading fast and a tense crowd watching the remaining 10 mins seemed like another 40 minutes but credit must go to these group of players who, in recent seasons, would of folded and head would of dropped but the composure of all players remained firm until that final whistle was blown.
Final Score 13-9.
Man Of The Match was warded to Chris Warner for his solid scrummaging, ball carrying and his presence in the loose. A close second was Tom Wall who I’d like to think was the quiet assassin around the park all game.
Next Week we travel to the dark depths of Somerset to take on league leaders Wiveliscombe.